Southerland wrote part, but not all, of RESTORE Act

The government has funneled millions to the Gulf Coast regions since the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill

AP file photo

By RANDAL YAKEY / The News Herald

Published: Friday, October 26, 2012 at 09:16 PM.

PANAMA CITY — In the murky world of Washington politics, it may be hard to get a definition for the word “author.”

During the candidate forum inside the Holley Center at Florida State University Panama City on Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Panama City, said he was “the author of the act,” referring to the RESTORE Act. He made the comment after one of his opponents in the U.S. House District 2 race, former state Sen. Al Lawson, claimed Southerland was embellishing his role in the RESTORE Act, which earmarks millions of dollars in BP fines for the Gulf Coast region.

But House Resolution 3096 notes U.S. Rep. Steve Scaise, R-La., as the primary sponsor, or author, of the bill, followed by “Mr. Bonner, Mr. Miller of Florida, Mr. Olson, Mr. Palazzo, Mr. Southerland” as co-sponsors.

According to parliamentary procedure, Scaise is the main sponsor of the bill and the one responsible for adding or subtracting from the material. He also can add or delete co-sponsors as needed.

Southerland spokesman Matt McCullough said Southerland was essential in the wording of the resolution.

PANAMA CITY — In the murky world of Washington politics, it may be hard to get a definition for the word “author.”

During the candidate forum inside the Holley Center at Florida State University Panama City on Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Panama City, said he was “the author of the act,” referring to the RESTORE Act. He made the comment after one of his opponents in the U.S. House District 2 race, former state Sen. Al Lawson, claimed Southerland was embellishing his role in the RESTORE Act, which earmarks millions of dollars in BP fines for the Gulf Coast region.

But House Resolution 3096 notes U.S. Rep. Steve Scaise, R-La., as the primary sponsor, or author, of the bill, followed by “Mr. Bonner, Mr. Miller of Florida, Mr. Olson, Mr. Palazzo, Mr. Southerland” as co-sponsors.

According to parliamentary procedure, Scaise is the main sponsor of the bill and the one responsible for adding or subtracting from the material. He also can add or delete co-sponsors as needed.

Southerland spokesman Matt McCullough said Southerland was essential in the wording of the resolution.